What is Virtual Network or MVNO?

MVNO stands for Mobile Virtual Network Operator. A MVNO piggybacks on a main mobile network operator, because it doesn’t have its own underlying network infrastructure to provide a service to its customers. UK MVNOs don’t own any hardware, they just lease wireless telephone and data spectrum from one of the four UK main networks for resale.

Any UK mobile carrier that isn’t EE, Vodafone, O2 or Three is an MVNO. Even big names such as BT Mobile, Sky Mobile and Virgin Mobile are MVNOs, because they don’t own an underlying infrastructure. MVNOs don’t really hide this fact, but due to them having their own customer services, billing systems and marketing campaigns most mobile users think they have their own networks.